Building Troop 449’s Youth Leaders

Making the Conversion

Troop 449 is striving to become a youth-led troop.  The goal is for the troop’s adult leaders to provide guidance, support and limited participation.  Currently adult leaders (primarily the Scoutmaster and Asst. Scoutmasters) are directing many activities, while helping develop leadership skills in the youth leaders.  As the scouts gain experience and the troop matures we expect the boys to continuously increase their leadership roles and responsibilities.

What makes Scouting special is that SCOUTS can make the decisions!

Scouts are elected to positions of leadership and responsibility by other scouts.  Once elected, these young men are expected to plan and execute their own scouting programs.  As a troop leader you will: plan and run troop meeting; pick troop outings, where to camp, what to do; plan advancement opportunities for all troop members; select High-Adventure programs; and help other scouts along the trail to Eagle. The troop's activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference.

Annual Program Planning & Patrol Leaders Council

The troop's yearly plan is then submitted to the Troop Committee for approval.  The Troop Committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the Patrol Leaders Council to consider. At its meetings, the Patrol Leaders Council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The Troop Committee interacts with the Patrol Leaders Council through the Scoutmaster.

Roles of Responsibility

Many different levels of youth authority exist within the troop, from the Senior Patrol Leader to Assistant Patrol Leaders.  Several voluntary positions also exist for those young men who prefer to provide support services, such as: Quartermaster, Historian, Chaplains Aide and Scribe.

Growing as a Leader

When a boy joins the troop, he is slowly introduced to the leadership structure and given time to acclimate to the new environment.  He is given small jobs to accomplish, under the guidance of more experienced scouts.  As his ability and knowledge grow, he begins to tackle more complex responsibilities.  Most boys who choose to take on leadership responsibilities, are members of the troop for about a year before they are prepared to accept a leadership position.

Learning good leadership skills is one of the most important benefits of being a Boy Scout. Troop 449 strives to teach leadership skills through example, both by other scouts and by the adult uniformed leaders. More experienced scouts are expected to help younger scouts learn basic leadership and teamwork skills.  Junior leader training is conducted twice each year.

Becoming a Leader in Troop 449

Elections for youth leaders are held twice each year in March and September for 6-month terms beginning on April 1 and October 1.  Because being a leader is more than just sewing on a patch, we have put together job descriptions for the troop leadership positions. They will give you a good idea of what each job is all about and what you will be required to do.

Be Prepared

There are many worthwhile activities outside of scouting, including academics, athletics, and music.  If you are unable to commit to a role of responsibility during a particular time of the year, that’s OK.   Becoming an Eagle is not a race, but a journey during which you will gain valuable experience and skills.  When you’re ready and able to do a quality job, step up!

Here’s how to be considered for a position. First read the job descriptions, qualifications, and job responsibilities. Then decide what you want to do and talk it over with your parents. You can also talk it over with other scouts who have served in that position. Finally, get a troop job application form, fill it out, have your parent(s) read and sign it, and turn it in.

So, are you ready to Lead the Way? We sure hope so!